(The Gnostic Catholic Church)

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, or Gnostic Catholic Church, was formed in 1907 by Jean Bricaud, Louis-Sophrone Fugairon, and Gerard Encausse in France. Encausse later joined the O.T.O., where the church came to the attention of Aleister Crowley. In 1913, Crowley wrote The Gnostic Mass (Liber XV), and it has since been adopted as the primary rite of the church. The Gnostic Mass is published in numerous places, including The Equinox Vol. III No. 10, and Liber ABA: Magick.

The Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.) is a Thelemic religious environment dedicated to the advancement of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty through alignment with the Law of Thelema. The central activity of the E.G.C. is the celebration of the Gnostic Mass as set forth in Liber XV. Formal membership in E.G.C. is available through baptism, confirmation, and (after a period of training) ordination to the clergy. However, in most locations, no formal affiliation is required to attend the Mass.

The Gnostic Mass is celebrated regularly at many O.T.O. bodies worldwide. For information about attending the Gnostic Mass, contact the nearest local body of the O.T.O..

Further information on the E.G.C. may be found in Issue Number 2 of the Thelemic research journal Red Flame. This issue, entitled Mystery of Mystery: A Primer of Thelemic Ecclesiastical Gnosticism, includes the full text of Liber XV with commentary, a detailed history of the Church, short biographies of the Gnostic Saints, and much other material.